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Friday/Saturday 18:00–22:00
Going-out peak. Uber/Bolt surge 1.8–2.5×. Pre-booked or Black cab fixed/metered.
London Taxi Apps · 2025 Comparison Guide
London Taxi App
Comparison 2025.
A complete 2025 London taxi app comparison covering every major option — Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Gett, Wheely, Black Cab apps (TaxiApp UK) and pre-booked fixed-price private hire. Pricing dynamics, surge multipliers, coverage areas, vehicle quality, late-night reliability, executive options and the specific scenarios where each app wins or loses. We're a TfL-licensed private hire firm — yes, we're partial to pre-booked fixed-price — but this guide is honest about where each app is the right tool, where surge and dynamic pricing become a liability, and the real cost across a year of London travel. From £4 short hops to £200+ executive runs, the right app changes the price by 50–300% on the same trip.
✓ 7 apps covered✓ Updated 2025✓ Real fares✓ 8 scenarios
Quick Verdicts
One-line summary per app
Uber: Default ride app. Surge is its weakness.
Bolt: Cheaper than Uber off-peak. Patchier coverage at airports.
FreeNow: Black cabs on demand. Metered, no surge.
Gett: Black cab + corporate. Business accounts.
Wheely: Pure luxury. Mercedes S-Class. £45+.
Black Cab apps: TfL Hackney rank-equivalent.
Pre-booked (us): Fixed price, no surge, executive options.
London Taxi Apps · 2025 At-a-Glance
Indicative pricing for typical Zone 1 → Heathrow trip · Updated April 2026
| App / Service | Off-peak (1 pax) | Peak / surge | Vehicle quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber XMost-used | £40–£60 | £80–£140 | Standard saloon |
| BoltOften cheapest | £35–£55 | £70–£120 | Standard saloon |
| FreeNowBlack cab + private hire | £55–£75 (cab) | £70–£90 (cab, traffic) | Iconic black cab |
| GettCorporate / black cab | £55–£75 (cab) | £70–£90 | Black cab + private hire |
| WheelyPure luxury chauffeur | £90–£130 | £110–£170 | Mercedes S/E, BMW 7 |
| Black cab from rankNo app needed | £55–£75 metered | £70–£90 | Iconic black cab |
| Pre-booked (us)Fixed-price executive | £55 fixed | £55 fixed | Mercedes E avail |
App-by-App
The 7 Major London Taxi Apps
1. Uber
What it is: The dominant ride-hailing app in London. Multiple tiers: Uber X (standard private hire), Uber XL (6-seat MPV), Uber Comfort (newer cars), Uber Exec (premium private hire), Uber Lux (luxury), Uber Pet, Uber Green.
Strengths: Largest driver supply in London = shortest wait times; consistent UI; corporate accounts; Uber One subscription discounts; familiar to international visitors.
Weaknesses: Surge multipliers in busy windows (Friday/Saturday evening, Sunday peak, late-night airport, bank holidays) can 2–3× the price; no fixed pricing for known routes; driver-cancellation risk on long airport runs.
Best for: Solo, short urban hops, off-peak daytime, last-minute trips. Avoid for: Hold-luggage airport runs in surge windows, very early-morning, executive client travel.
2. Bolt
What it is: Estonian-founded ride-hailing app, second-biggest after Uber in London. Standard Bolt tier (private hire saloon), Bolt XL (6-seat), Bolt Comfort, Bolt Premium.
Strengths: Typically 10–15% cheaper than Uber off-peak; lower commissions to drivers can mean better-rated drivers; good UI; growing supply.
Weaknesses: Smaller driver pool means slightly longer waits in non-central areas; surge dynamics similar to Uber in peak windows; weaker airport coverage at less-busy times; XL availability patchy.
Best for: Solo, off-peak central London, budget-conscious travellers. Avoid for: Outer-London early-morning, executive runs, areas where Bolt supply thins.
3. FreeNow
What it is: The official iconic London black cab app (formerly mytaxi/Hailo). Books a TfL-licensed Hackney carriage from a rank or driving past — fares are the metered black cab tariff. Also offers private hire (Match), executive options.
Strengths: No surge — black cab fares are metered at TfL rates which don't surge; black cab drivers know London (The Knowledge); 6 passengers standard; wheelchair-accessible by default; can be hailed from the street if you don't want to use the app.
Weaknesses: Black cabs are typically 15–25% more expensive than Uber X off-peak; metered fares run up in heavy traffic; airport pickups at LHR via cab rank require waiting in line.
Best for: Iconic London experience, no-surge predictability, wheelchair access, 5–6 pax in one vehicle. Avoid for: Cost-conscious solo, areas with sparse cab supply.
4. Gett
What it is: Israeli-founded app focused on black cab + corporate ground transport. UK Gett primarily books black cabs and offers business-account billing for corporates.
Strengths: Strong corporate offering — single invoice, expense management, multi-rider booking, executive options; black cab supply; reasonably reliable.
Weaknesses: Smaller user base means slightly longer waits than FreeNow for cabs; pricing similar to FreeNow (metered + booking fee).
Best for: Corporate accounts wanting black cabs with business billing. Avoid for: Solo personal use vs. cheaper alternatives.
5. Wheely
What it is: Premium chauffeur app. Mercedes E-Class, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series with chauffeur-trained drivers. Wheely Business and Wheely First tiers.
Strengths: Genuinely high-end — properly trained chauffeurs (suit + tie), immaculate vehicles, water/snacks/Wi-Fi standard, high privacy; senior exec / VIP appropriate.
Weaknesses: £45+ minimum fare; supply tighter than Uber Exec at peak; surge applies to Wheely too in busy windows.
Best for: Senior executives, client travel, special occasions, VIP. Avoid for: Casual urban hops, anyone cost-sensitive.
6. TaxiApp UK / Black Cab apps
What it is: Black cab driver-cooperative apps (TaxiApp UK, ComCab, Dial-a-Cab) booking TfL Hackney carriages directly. Driver-owned, lower commission than FreeNow.
Strengths: Same iconic black cab experience as FreeNow but more of the fare goes to the driver, occasionally slightly cheaper.
Weaknesses: Smaller user base, less polished UI, smaller driver supply than FreeNow.
Best for: Loyal black cab users wanting to support driver-owned apps. Avoid for: First-time users vs. polished FreeNow experience.
7. Pre-Booked Fixed-Price Private Hire (us)
What it is: Pre-booked TfL Private Hire taxi at a fixed price agreed at booking. Driver allocated in advance with name and registration shared the night before. No app needed — book by WhatsApp, phone or web form.
Strengths: Fixed price never surges; driver allocated specifically (no decline risk); free meet-and-greet at airports; free flight tracking; 60-min free wait if delayed; executive Mercedes E available; corporate invoicing; pay on day or invoice; same fare 24/7.
Weaknesses: Needs ideally 2+ hours' notice for booking (we accept short-notice when capacity allows); not designed for ad-hoc urban hops where Uber/Bolt at £8 wins.
Best for: Airport transfers, executive client travel, late-night, pre-5am, surge-window travel, families with luggage, anyone wanting predictability. Avoid for: Solo £5 short urban hops where the £25 minimum doesn't make sense.
Decision Matrix
Which App For Your Trip?
| Your situation | Best app | Second choice | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo, daytime, short urban hop | Bolt or Uber | Black cab if iconic experience wanted | Pre-booked (£25 min) |
| Friday evening to Mayfair restaurant | Pre-booked or Black cab | FreeNow | Uber/Bolt surge |
| 4 pax + cases, LHR → Mayfair | Pre-booked (£55) | Black cab | Uber XL surge |
| Solo, 23:00 LHR arrival | Pre-booked (£55) | Black cab from rank | Uber/Bolt 2× surge |
| Wheelchair user | FreeNow / Black cab | Pre-booked WAV vehicle | Uber X / Bolt |
| Senior exec to client meeting | Wheely or Pre-booked Exec | Uber Exec | Uber X |
| Bank holiday weekend airport | Pre-booked (£55) | Black cab | Uber/Bolt surge |
| Pre-5am airport pickup | Pre-booked (£55) | Black cab dispatch | Uber (driver supply risk) |
| Family of 5, school holiday airport | Pre-booked MPV (£85) | Black cab (6 max) | 2× Uber X |
| Corporate exec billing required | Gett / Pre-booked invoice | Uber for Business | Personal Bolt |
| £5 last-minute Soho hop | Bolt or Uber | Black cab if hailing | Pre-booked (overkill) |
| Big concert / event night out | Pre-booked or Black cab | FreeNow | Uber/Bolt event surge |
Surge Reality
When Apps Surge Most in London
Surge isn't random. There are predictable windows where Uber and Bolt routinely 1.5–3× the off-peak price. FreeNow black cab and pre-booked private hire bypass surge entirely.
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Sunday 17:00–21:00
Returning weekend traffic. Airport runs surge worst. £55 pre-booked vs £100–£140 surge.
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Late-Night 23:00–01:00
End-of-night clubs/restaurants. Surge + driver decline risk. FreeNow cabs running but harder to find.
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Bank Holiday Weekends
Easter, Spring, August, Christmas. 2–2.5× routine on apps. Pre-booked locked-in.
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Bad Weather
Rain, snow, ATC closures. Demand spikes + supply drops = 2–3× surge. Black cabs uniquely London-rated for weather.
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Concert / Sport Nights
O2, Wembley, Tottenham, Twickenham fixtures. Localised 2× surge on apps.
Annual Cost
50 London Trips: Total Annual Cost
| Travel pattern | Best mix | Annual cost | Vs default Uber-only |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 short urban hops (£8 avg) | Bolt for 30 + Uber 20 | ~£400 | Save ~£60 |
| 20 short hops + 30 airport runs (mostly off-peak) | Bolt urban + Pre-booked airport | ~£1,810 | Save ~£800 |
| 20 short hops + 30 airport runs (mostly peak/surge) | Black cab urban + Pre-booked airport | ~£2,160 | Save ~£1,500 |
| 50 airport runs (mix of times) | Pre-booked all | £2,750 | Save ~£1,200 |
| Family of 4 — 30 airport runs | Pre-booked MPV all | £2,550 | Save ~£2,000+ vs Uber XL |
| Senior exec — 100 client trips | Pre-booked Exec mix Wheely | ~£11,000 | Save ~£3,000 vs Uber Exec |
Reviews
Customers Who Switched
★★★★★
"Used Uber by default for two years. Switched airport runs to pre-booked at £55 fixed. £100+ saved per Sunday-evening trip. Annual saving easily £4,000. Same driver, name board, takes the cases. Why I didn't switch sooner I don't know."
Andrew P.
LHR T5 → North London · weekly
★★★★★
"Family of 5 stopped using Uber XL — surge XL Sundays were £200+. Pre-booked MPV at £85 fixed every trip now. Saved £1,500+ over 18 months. Driver helps with the cases, name board at arrivals."
The Singh family
LTN → Watford · MPV
★★★★★
"Solo daytime hops in town — Bolt is genuinely cheaper than Uber. For airport runs and after-dark — pre-booked or black cab. Different tools for different jobs. The 'always-Uber' default cost me a fortune for years."
Sarah K.
Mixed London / airport
FAQs
London Taxi Apps — FAQs
Which is the cheapest taxi app in London?
Bolt typically offers the lowest base fares in London — often 10–15% below Uber for similar trips. FreeNow's standard private hire option is also competitive. However, all app-based services use surge/dynamic pricing — so the 'cheapest' app changes hour-to-hour. For predictable pricing, pre-booked fixed-price private hire (from £55 for typical airport runs) wins because the price never moves regardless of demand.
Is Bolt cheaper than Uber in London?
Off-peak weekday afternoons, Bolt is typically 10–15% cheaper than Uber for the same route. During Friday/Saturday evening surge, Sunday return peak and bank holidays, both apps surge but Bolt's surge multipliers tend to be slightly lower. For airport transfers with hold luggage and fixed timing, pre-booked private hire is usually the better choice as neither app offers price guarantees.
What's FreeNow vs Uber in London?
FreeNow is the official black cab app — book a TfL Hackney carriage on demand, fares are the metered black cab tariff, no surge per se but traffic adds to the meter. FreeNow also offers private hire. Uber X is private hire only with surge pricing. For a black cab specifically, use FreeNow. For private hire, Uber and Bolt typically compete on price. For a fixed-price executive or airport run, pre-booked private hire wins.
What's the difference between Wheely and Uber Exec?
Wheely is exclusively executive/luxury — Mercedes E-Class, S-Class, BMW 7-Series with chauffeur-trained drivers. £45+ minimum fare. Uber Exec is Uber's higher tier — newer cars, but still standard private hire drivers, £15+ minimum. Wheely targets executive client travel and high-end personal use. Uber Exec is a step up from Uber X but not in Wheely's league. Pre-booked private hire executive at £105 fixed (Mercedes E) sits between the two on price and quality.
Are black cabs more expensive than Uber?
Yes — typically 15–25% more than Uber X off-peak. Black cab fares are metered at TfL rates. The trade-off: no surge, drivers know London via The Knowledge, 6 passengers standard, wheelchair accessible. During Uber surge windows, black cabs become competitive or cheaper.
Do all apps work at Heathrow?
Yes — all major apps (Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Gett, Wheely) operate at Heathrow with designated pickup zones. Black cabs are available at the rank at all four terminals. Pre-booked private hire offers free meet-and-greet at arrivals with a name board, free flight tracking, and fixed pricing — material advantages for hold luggage and late-night arrivals.
Can I get a corporate account on these apps?
Most offer business accounts: Uber for Business, Bolt for Business, FreeNow for Business, Gett. All consolidate billing and offer expense tools. Pre-booked private hire firms typically also offer invoiced corporate accounts — often with relationship benefits, named drivers and predictable executive vehicles.
What's the cheapest app for airport transfers?
Off-peak weekday Bolt can be slightly cheaper than Uber and pre-booked. Pre-booked private hire at £55 fixed beats apps in surge windows — Friday/Saturday evening, Sunday return peak, late-night, bank holidays — when apps routinely 1.5–2.5× the price. Black cab from rank at LHR is metered (~£60–£90 daytime) — predictable but not fixed.
Is pre-booked private hire safer than apps?
All TfL-licensed drivers — whether Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Gett or pre-booked private hire — pass the same TfL Private Hire licensing including DBS criminal record check and topographical knowledge test. Pre-booking offers an additional safety layer: driver name and registration shared in advance, vehicle allocated specifically to you, no last-minute reallocations.
Get a Fixed-Price Quote
vs Surge Apps
Same fare 24/7. No surge, ever. Driver name shared the night before. Free meet & greet on airport arrivals. Executive Mercedes E available.